JP2009147493A - Printing device, multifunction device, printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output results of copy even if a sheet size specified by a user is unavailable for copying. <P>SOLUTION: In a printing device 1 equipped with an image read function, a copy control section 100 compares a document size detected by a document size detection section 110 with the size of a sheet fed to a sheet feed cassette detected by a sheet size detection section 120, selects the sheet size of other sheet fed to the sheet feed cassette if they dot not match, and then controls a read processing section 160 to read out the document and controls a print processing section 170 to perform printing with a selected sheet size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus (copy machine, multifunction machine) having an image reading function.

  Conventionally, in a printing apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine, a user can operate a control panel or the like to specify a copy magnification and a paper size. In this case, the copier processes the image data read by the scanner in accordance with the designated copy magnification and paper size, and prints it with the printer.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830 discloses a paper size loaded in the printer when the paper size included in the input print data is different from the paper size of the paper loaded in the printer. A printer that automatically prints by reducing or enlarging print data is described.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-184156

  By the way, when a user specifies a copy magnification or a paper size, a conventional copier detects that a paper of a size that can be printed at a specified copy magnification or a paper of a specified size is not fed. Then, the user is notified by displaying on the operation panel or the like that copying cannot be performed with the paper of that size.

  However, the above copying machine cannot continue the copy process and output the copy result unless the designated size of paper is replenished in the paper feed cassette. For this reason, it is impossible to meet the demand of a user who wants to obtain a copy result in a hurry. In particular, it is troublesome for the user who wants to perform copying with the default copy magnification (for example, 100%) to set the copy magnification and paper size again.

  The present invention has been made to meet the above-described demand, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for outputting a copy result even when a copy cannot be executed with a paper size designated by a user.

  An invention according to a printing apparatus that meets the above-described demand is a printing apparatus having an image reading function, and includes a document size detecting unit that detects a sheet size of a document, and a sheet size of a printing sheet loaded in a sheet feeding cassette. A paper size detecting unit for detecting, and comparing the paper size of the original and the paper size of the printing paper, and if it is determined that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original, When a paper size of a different printing paper and a printing magnification for printing with the paper size are set and it is determined that there is a paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original, the paper size of the printing paper A print setting unit for setting a print magnification for printing with the paper size, and the print setting unit sets the paper size and the print magnification of the print paper. A reading unit configured to read the original and generate image data; and the image data is changed to image data of the print magnification set by the print setting unit, and the paper size set by the print setting unit is set. And printing means for printing on printing paper.

  Here, the printing apparatus includes a user operation reception unit that receives a user operation, and a designated paper size detection unit that detects a designated paper size of a print paper designated by the user via the user operation reception unit. When the designated paper size detecting means detects the designated paper size, the print setting means compares the designated paper size with the paper size of the printing paper, and the print paper size that matches the designated paper size is determined. If it is determined that there is no print paper, the paper size of the print paper different from the specified paper size and the print magnification for printing with the paper size are set, and it is determined that there is a paper size of the print paper that matches the specified paper size. In this case, the paper size of the printing paper and the print magnification for printing with the paper size of the printing paper are set. It may be.

  In the printing apparatus, when the print setting unit determines that there is no paper size of the print paper that matches the specified paper size, the user specifies a paper size of the print paper different from the specified paper size. It may be characterized by displaying a screen for making it happen.

  In the printing apparatus, the reading unit may start reading the document when receiving a user instruction through the user operation receiving unit. Good.

  An invention relating to a multifunction device that meets the above-described demand is a multifunction device including any one of the above-described printing apparatuses.

  An invention according to a printing method that meets the above-described demand is a printing method in a printing apparatus having an image reading function, and the printing apparatus is loaded in a document size detection step for detecting a sheet size of a document and a paper feed cassette. A paper size detection step for detecting the paper size of the printing paper being compared, and comparing the paper size of the original and the paper size of the printing paper, and determining that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original If the paper size of the printing paper different from the paper size of the original and the print magnification for printing with the paper size are set, and it is determined that there is a paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original A print setting step for setting a paper size of the print paper and a print magnification for printing with the paper size; and the print setting step. After setting the paper size and the printing magnification of the printing paper, the reading step of reading the original to generate image data, and converting the image data into the image data of the printing magnification set by the printing setting step And performing a printing step of printing on printing paper of the paper size set in the print setting step.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication interface unit 20, a user interface unit 30, a scanner unit 40, and a printer unit 50. Of course, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to this. For example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a memory card may be provided as storage means for storing print data.

  The control unit 10 is a central unit that controls each unit described above and performs various processes of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 16 that store programs to be executed and necessary data. For example, the control unit 10 receives a copy instruction from the user via the user interface unit 20, causes the scanner unit 40 to read a document, and causes the printer unit 50 to print the read image data. In addition, the control unit 10 receives image data to be printed via the communication interface unit 30 and causes the printer unit 50 to print the received image data.

  The communication interface unit 20 is a communication device for communicating with an external device on a network such as a LAN, and is, for example, a network adapter or a NIC (Network Interface Card).

  The user interface unit 30 is a unit for receiving user instructions by user operations. The user interface unit 30 includes, for example, a display and a so-called touch panel that is mounted on the display surface side of the display and transmits the display screen (not shown). The touch panel includes, for example, a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic input detection element. The user interface unit 30 includes buttons (for example, a copy start button) for executing various functions and hard switches such as a keyboard (not shown). The user interface unit 30 detects a user's touch operation on the touch panel and outputs it to the control unit 10 together with the touch position. Further, a user operation on the hard switch is detected and output to the control unit 10.

  The scanner unit 40 is a unit that reads a document placed on a glass table (not shown) and generates image data. The scanner unit 40 includes an image data conversion unit 42 and a reading engine 44. The image data conversion unit 42 converts the analog information of gray for each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) read by the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor of the reading engine 44 into a digital signal as image data. Output. The reading engine 44 includes a light source, a carriage, a scanning motor, a lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor (all not shown), an original sensor 46, and the like, and scans while applying light to an original placed on a glass table. Then, the reflected light is guided to a CCD sensor having RGB filters. The original sensor 46 detects whether or not an original is placed on the glass table, and detects and outputs the paper size (original size) of the original. Of course, the configuration of the scanner unit 40 is not limited to the above.

  The printer unit 50 prints image data sent from the scanner unit 40 or the control unit 10. The printer unit 50 includes an image processing unit 52 and a print engine 54. The image processing unit 52 performs processing for generating image data that can be printed by the print engine 54 based on the received image data. The print engine 54 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes for loading printing paper of a plurality of sizes, a paper feeding / discharging unit that takes out the printing paper loaded in the paper feeding cassette one by one and sends it to the transfer unit, and toner of each color A toner cartridge that contains toner, a photosensitive unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member and attaches the toner, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image attached to the photosensitive member to printing paper sent from the paper supply / discharge unit, The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit (not shown) that fixes the toner image transferred onto the printing paper to the printing paper with heat and pressure, a paper feed sensor 56, and the like, and performs printing on a printing medium such as printing paper. The paper feed sensor 56 detects and outputs the paper size of the printing paper loaded in the paper feeding cassette, whether or not printing paper is loaded in the paper feeding cassette. Of course, the printer unit 50 is not limited to the laser type page printer as described above, and may be an ink jet type printer.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 1 includes a copy control unit 100, a document size detection unit 110, a paper size detection unit 120, a designated paper size detection unit 130, a display processing unit 140, and a user operation reception unit. 150, a reading processing unit 160, and a printing processing unit 170. Each of these functional units is constructed on the control unit 10 by the CPU 12 loading a predetermined program stored in advance on the ROM 16 onto the RAM 14 and executing it.

  The copy control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 1 including the above-described functional units. For example, the copy control unit 100 accepts a user instruction to execute a copy via the user operation analysis unit 150 and instructs the reading processing unit 160 to execute reading or read image data. For example, the print processing unit 170 is instructed to execute printing. In addition, when setting information such as the number of copies and double-sided printing is received via the user operation analysis unit 150, the print processing unit 170 is instructed to perform print processing according to the setting information. Further, the copy control unit 100 designates the original size from the original size detection unit 110 and the paper size of the printing paper loaded in the paper feed cassette from the paper size detection unit 120 by the user from the designated paper size detection unit 130. A paper size (designated paper size) is acquired, and it is determined whether printing can be performed on a paper having the same size as the document size or the designated paper size.

  The document size detection unit 110 acquires information indicating whether or not a document is set on the glass table and information indicating the document size from the document sensor 46 of the scanner unit 40.

  The paper size detection unit 120 receives information indicating whether paper is loaded in the paper feed cassette from the paper feed sensor 56 of the printer unit 50, and information indicating the paper size of the print paper loaded in the paper feed cassette. To get.

  The designated paper size detection unit 130 acquires the copy magnification and paper size (designated paper size) designated by the user via the user operation analysis unit 150. Note that the paper size that can be printed at the copy magnification specified by the user may be set as the designated paper size.

  The display processing unit 140 receives an instruction from another functional unit, and generates and outputs a drawing command for causing the user interface unit 30 to display a screen. For example, a menu screen for accepting various copy settings and a drawing command for displaying a setting screen are generated.

  The user operation reception unit 150 receives a user operation input via the user interface unit 30, analyzes the operation content, and controls other functional units so that processing corresponding to the operation content is executed. To do. For example, it accepts a user operation for executing copying, and requests the copy control unit 100 to execute reading processing and printing processing. Further, a user operation for designating a copy magnification and a paper size is accepted, and the copy magnification and the paper size are sent to the designated paper size detection unit 130.

  The reading processing unit 160 controls the scanner unit 40 to execute reading processing of a set document. Further, the image data generated by the scanner unit 40 is acquired.

  The print processing unit 170 converts the image data acquired from the scanner unit 40 into image data having a copy magnification specified by the copy control unit 100. Further, the printer unit 50 is controlled to cause the image data to be printed on the printing paper having the paper size designated by the copy control unit 100.

  Next, a characteristic operation of the printing apparatus 1 executed by the hardware and function unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of copy processing executed in the printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a screen displayed on the user interface unit.

  The flow shown in FIG. 3 is started when the printing apparatus 1 is activated.

  When the printing apparatus 1 is activated, the document size detection unit 110 monitors whether or not the document is set on the glass table (S100). Specifically, the document size detection unit 110 monitors whether information indicating whether or not a document is set on a glass table and information indicating the document size are sent from the document sensor 46. If the information indicating that the original is set and the information indicating the original size are received (YES in S100), the information is retained, and the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, when such information is not sent (NO in S100), monitoring is continued.

  When a document is detected (YES in S100), the paper size detection unit 120 detects a paper feed state (S110). Specifically, the paper size detection unit 120 acquires from the paper feed sensor 56 information indicating whether paper is loaded in the paper cassette and information indicating the paper size of the printing paper in the paper cassette. These pieces of information are held for each sheet cassette. Then, the process proceeds to S120.

  When the paper feed state is detected (S110), the copy control unit 100 determines the set copy mode (S120). Here, the copy mode is information indicating, for example, an automatic mode for automatically setting the paper size and copy magnification, and a manual mode for manually setting these settings by the user. The copy control unit 100 holds information regarding this copy mode. Here, it is assumed that the default is set to the automatic mode. Specifically, the copy control unit 100 determines whether there has been a user operation for changing the copy mode to the manual mode, for example, an operation for designating a copy magnification or a paper size, via the user operation receiving unit 130. To do. And when it determines with it being automatic mode (it is YES at S120), it progresses to S130. On the other hand, when it is determined that the manual mode is selected (NO in S120), the process proceeds to S150.

  If the automatic mode is selected (YES in S120), the copy control unit 100 monitors whether a start operation has been performed (S130). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 monitors whether the start button of the user interface unit 30 has been pressed via the user operation reception unit. If a start operation is accepted (YES in S130), the process proceeds to S140. On the other hand, when the start operation is not received (NO in S130), the monitoring is continued.

  When the start operation is accepted (YES in S130), the copy control unit 100 selects and sets the paper size and calculates the copy magnification (S140). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 first acquires the document size from the document size detection unit 110 and the paper size of the paper feed cassette and whether or not a paper is loaded from the paper size detection unit 120. Then, a paper feed cassette having a paper size that matches the original size is searched from the paper feed cassettes in which paper is loaded. If it is determined that there is a paper size that matches the original size, the paper size is set as the paper size used for printing. The copy magnification is set to 100% (equal magnification). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no paper size that matches the original size, another paper size is set as a paper size to be used for printing according to a predetermined order. For example, the paper size can be selected in order from a size one step larger than the document size. The copy magnification is calculated and set according to the set paper size. For example, when a paper size larger than the document size is set, the copy magnification is set to 100% or 100% or more. When a paper size smaller than the document size is set, the copy magnification is set smaller than 100%.

  On the other hand, in the manual mode (NO in S120), the designated paper size detection unit 130 acquires and holds the copy magnification and paper size (designated paper size) designated by the user via the user operation analysis unit 150. (S150).

  Then, the copy control unit 100 determines whether or not the designated paper size matches the paper size of the paper feed cassette (S160). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 first obtains the paper size of the paper feed cassette and the presence / absence of paper loading from the paper size detection unit 120 and the designated paper size from the designated paper size detection unit 130. Then, a paper feed cassette having a paper size that matches the designated paper size is searched from the paper feed cassettes loaded with paper. If it is determined that there is a paper size that matches the designated paper size (YES in S160), the process proceeds to S170. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no paper size that matches the designated paper size (NO in S160), the process proceeds to S190.

  If there is a paper size that matches the designated paper size (YES in S160), the copy control unit 100 monitors whether a start operation has been performed (S170). If a start operation is accepted (YES in S170), the process proceeds to S180. On the other hand, when the start operation is not received (NO in S170), the monitoring is continued.

  When the start operation is received (YES in S170), the copy control unit 100 sets the paper size and the copy magnification (S180). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 first acquires a copy magnification and a designated paper size designated by the user from the designated paper size detection unit 130. Then, the acquired copy magnification is set as the copy magnification used for printing, and the acquired designated paper size is set as the paper size used for printing.

  On the other hand, if there is no paper size that matches the designated paper size (NO in S160), the copy control unit 100 displays a message (S190). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 instructs the display processing unit 140 to display an operation screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display of the user interface unit 30.

  FIG. 4A shows an operation screen displayed when the document size is A3, the designated paper size is A3, and the paper size A3 is not loaded in the paper feed cassette. The operation screen 310 displays a message 320 for prompting the user's operation, such as “There is no A3 paper, so copying at the same magnification (100%) is not possible. Do you want to continue copying with other paper size?” , And a button 330 for selecting a paper having another paper size. Here, buttons for selecting paper sizes other than A3, for example, B4, A4, and B5 are displayed. The button for selecting A3 is grayed out and cannot be operated until A3 paper is replenished in the paper feed cassette. Each button 330 displays how the copy magnification changes by comparing the designated paper size and the paper size assigned to the button, that is, whether to reduce or enlarge.

  FIG. 4B shows an operation screen displayed when the document size is A4, the designated paper size is A4, and the paper size A4 is not loaded in the paper feed cassette. The operation screen 310 displays a message 320 for prompting the user's operation, such as “Since there is no A4 paper, copying cannot be performed at the same magnification (100%). Do you want to continue copying with other paper size?” , And a button 330 for selecting a paper having another paper size. Here, buttons for selecting paper sizes other than A4, for example, A3, B4, and A5 are displayed. The button for selecting A4 is grayed out, and cannot be operated until A4 paper is replenished to the paper feed cassette. Each button 330 displays how the copy magnification changes by comparing the designated paper size and the paper size assigned to the button, that is, whether to reduce or enlarge.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the operation screen as described above is displayed (S190), the copy control unit 100 determines whether or not a change in the designated paper size has been accepted (S200). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 accepts pressing of a button on the operation screen as described above via the user operation analysis unit 30, and determines whether or not the designated paper size has been changed. If it is determined that the designated paper size has been changed (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, when it is determined that the designated paper size has not been changed, that is, the paper of the current designated paper size has been replenished to the paper feed cassette via the paper size detection unit 120 (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S170.

  When the designated paper size has been changed (YES in S200), the designated paper size detection unit 130 acquires and holds the designated paper size designated by the user via the user operation analysis unit 150 (S210). Also, the copy magnification is calculated and held in accordance with the designated paper size. For example, when a designated paper size larger than the original size is designated, the copy magnification is set to 100% or 100% or more, and when a small size is designated, the copy magnification is made smaller than 100%.

  Then, the copy control unit 100 monitors whether a start operation has been performed (S220). If a start operation is accepted (YES in S220), the process proceeds to S230. On the other hand, when the start operation is not received (NO in S220), the monitoring is continued.

  When the start operation is accepted (YES in S220), the copy control unit 100 sets the paper size and the copy magnification (S230). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 first obtains a copy magnification and a designated paper size from the designated paper size detection unit 130. Then, the acquired copy magnification is set as the copy magnification used for printing, and the acquired designated paper size is set as the paper size used for printing.

  When the paper size and the copy magnification are set (S140, S180, S230), the copy control unit 100 operates the carriage and executes a copy process (S240). Specifically, the copy control unit 100 first instructs the reading processing unit 160 to read a document. The reading processing unit 160 controls the scanner unit 40 to operate the carriage, and outputs document image data. Then, the reading processing unit 160 sends the acquired image data to the print processing unit 170. At the same time, the copy control unit 100 sends the set copy magnification and paper size (S140, S180, S230) to the print processing unit 170 to instruct printing. The print processing unit 170 converts the received image data into image data of the designated copy magnification, and sends it to the printer unit 50 together with the designated paper size. Then, the print processing unit 170 controls the printer unit 50 to print the image data on the designated paper size.

  The copy process is executed as described above.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to this embodiment, even when copying cannot be executed with a paper size designated by the user, the result of copying can be output. In other words, even if the paper size specified by the user is not being fed into the paper cassette, it is possible to designate paper of another paper size being fed with a one-touch operation. Can be output immediately. Even if another paper size is specified, the enlargement / reduction is performed according to that size, so that an optimum copy result can be obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that a sheet having a sheet size designated by the user is not fed to the sheet feeding cassette before the carriage operates. That is, conventionally, in order to be notified, it is necessary to operate the carriage by performing a copy start operation, but according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to operate the carriage to perform notification, It is possible to reduce power consumption (for example, 24V) necessary for the operation of the carriage.

  The present invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments. Obviously, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate and not limit the gist and scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of copy processing executed in the printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The figure which shows the specific example of the screen displayed on a user interface part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Control part, 12 ... CPU, 14 ... RAM, 16 ... ROM, 20 ... Communication interface part, 30 ... User interface part, 40. ..Scanner unit 42... Image data conversion unit 44 .Reading engine 46 .Document sensor 50 .Printer unit 52 .Image processing unit 54 .Print engine 56: Paper feed sensor,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Copy control part, 110 ... Document size detection part, 120 ... Paper size detection part, 130 ... Designated paper size detection part, 140 ... Display processing part, 150 ... User operation Receiving unit, 160... Reading processing unit, 170... Printing processing unit,
310 ... Operation screen, 320 ... Message, 330 ... Button

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus having an image reading function,
A document size detecting means for detecting a paper size of the document;
Paper size detection means for detecting the paper size of the printing paper loaded in the paper cassette;
If the paper size of the original is compared with the paper size of the printing paper and it is determined that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original, the paper size of the printing paper different from the paper size of the original; When a print magnification for printing with the paper size is set and it is determined that there is a paper size of the print paper that matches the paper size of the original, the paper size of the print paper and the paper size are printed. Print setting means for setting the print magnification of
A reading unit configured to read the original and generate image data after the print setting unit sets a paper size and a printing magnification of the printing paper;
Printing means for changing the image data to image data of the print magnification set by the print setting means and printing the print paper of the paper size set by the print setting means;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
User operation accepting means for accepting user operation;
Designated sheet size detecting means for detecting a designated sheet size of a printing sheet designated by a user via the user operation accepting means,
The print setting means includes
When the designated paper size detection unit detects the designated paper size, the designated paper size is compared with the paper size of the printing paper, and when it is determined that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the designated paper size, When the paper size of the printing paper different from the designated paper size and the print magnification for printing with the paper size are set, and it is determined that there is a paper size of the printing paper that matches the designated paper size, Setting the paper size and the print magnification for printing with the paper size of the printing paper,
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The print setting means includes
Displaying a screen for allowing the user to designate a paper size of a printing paper different from the designated paper size when it is determined that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the designated paper size;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The reading means includes
Starting reading of the original when receiving a user instruction via the user operation receiving means;
A printing apparatus characterized by the above.   A multifunction machine comprising the printing apparatus according to claim 1. A printing method in a printing apparatus having an image reading function,
The printing apparatus includes:
An original size detecting step for detecting the paper size of the original;
A paper size detection step for detecting the paper size of the printing paper loaded in the paper cassette;
If the paper size of the original is compared with the paper size of the printing paper and it is determined that there is no paper size of the printing paper that matches the paper size of the original, the paper size of the printing paper different from the paper size of the original; When a print magnification for printing with the paper size is set and it is determined that there is a paper size of the print paper that matches the paper size of the original, the paper size of the print paper and the paper size are printed. A print setting step for setting the print magnification of
A reading step of reading the original and generating image data after the print setting step sets a paper size and a print magnification of the printing paper;
Changing the image data to image data of the print magnification set by the print setting step, and printing on the printing paper of the paper size set by the print setting step;
A printing method characterized by the above.

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